THREE brave youngsters are selling their favourite toys on the internet to send `the best dad in the world' to America for medical treatment that could extend his life.

Former engineer Dave Hall, 40, is suffering from an aggressive brain tumour and has been told he may have as little as six months to live. He is undergoing chemotherapy, which could give him another year, but a new drug treatment being pioneered in Boston could bring fresh hope.

Now the family has launched a fundraising campaign to raise £5,000 to send him to the US in the hope that it will buy Dave priceless extra time.

Friends and neighbours are helping bring cash in and a special internet auction site has been set up, where well-wishers can bid - or simply make a donation.

Dave's teenage daughter Daniella 13, is selling her prized guitar, football mad Callum, eight, is auctioning a radio-controlled quad bike, a Robodog and Lego and three-year old Lucia is determined to do her bit by selling her treasured teddy bears, a remote controlled dog and a toy ironing board.

Mum Shirley, 40, said at the family home in Rotherhead Drive, Macclesfield: "I have been in contact with a doctor in America who says there is a possibility of getting on a trial for a new drug. We just need the money to get the best dad in the world there.

'Wonderful dad'

"Dave's a wonderful dad and has been really moved by what the children are doing - especially when he saw that Daniella was auctioning her guitar. We know how much it means to her."

Big-hearted Dave, ironically, had just posed as Mr May on a charity calendar to raise funds for others, when he was told he had the brain tumour. He had been suffering headaches that became gradually worse until he had to be rushed into hospital where the devastating news was given to him.

The treatment in Boston would involve a month-long trial using cancer drug Recentin, which could shrink the tumour by suppressing the blood vessels that feed it.

All proceeds from the internet auction will go to Cancer Research if Dave does not get on the American trial, and TV star Gloria Hunniford has already pledged a donation from the Caron Keating Foundation, set up in memory of her TV presenter daughter, who was a victim of breast cancer.

Dave vowed: "I'm not ready to go yet. I'll fight all the way for the sake of my kids."